Question

... If the strength of popular government in peacetime is virtue, the strength of popular government in revolution is both Terror is nothing but prompt, severe, and inflexible justice; it is thus an emanation (root) of virtue; it is less a particular principle than a consequence of the general principle of democracy applied to the most urgent needs of the fatherland. It is said that terror is the strength of despotic government. Does ours then resemble despotism? Yes, as the sword that shines in the hands of the heroes of liberty resemble the one with which the satellites of tyranny are armed. Let the despot govern his brutalized subjects through terror; he is right as a despot. Subdue the enemies of liberty through terror and you will be right as founders of the Republic. The government of revolution is the despotism of liberty against tyranny.... - Maximilien Robespierre, "Speech to the Convention", 179- 11. According to Robespierre, during a revolution it is essential for a government to rule by using (1) terror to control its subjects (2) liberty to ensure its citizens' rights (3) justice to promote peace (4) censorship to control the media​

Answer 1

Robespierre contends that using terror during a revolution is justified as a form of severe justice to subdue enemies of liberty and is crucial for the survival of a popular government. This became the operating principle during the Reign of Terror, where extreme measures were employed to protect and consolidate the republic.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Maximilien Robespierre's viewpoint during the French Revolution, terror is an essential instrument for a government to utilize during a revolution. This notion stems from his belief that terror is a form of justice that is severe, prompt, and inflexible, and becomes necessary to confront the urgent needs of the fatherland. For Robespierre, the employment of terror is likened to the sword used by heroes of liberty, which while similar in appearance to the weapon of tyrants, serves a noble purpose of defeating enemies of the republic and liberating the people from tyranny. He contrasts the use of terror by despotic rulers to subdue subjects with its use by revolutionary leaders to protect and strengthen the republic.

Underlying Robespierre's belief is the idea that a government that exercises terror in the service of liberty acts justly and wisely, and hence retains the confidence of the people. He sees the use of terror as a tool to safeguard the revolution and the establishment of a republic based on virtue and equality. This was reflected during the period known as the Reign of Terror, where the revolutionary government took extreme measures to prevent dissent and consolidate power.

The essence of Robespierre's argument is the assertion that in revolution, confronting internal and external enemies with decisiveness is justified and represents the despotism of liberty against tyranny. He emphasizes that virtue without terror is ineffective, while terror without virtue is detrimental, and both must work in tandem to ensure the republic’s survival and the promotion of public good.